With the slogan "More net worth, more freedom, more solidarity" the "Year of Leaving the Church" began on November 11. The campaign, in which the gbs participates among others, aims to clarify that people who leave the church are by no means free riders in the welfare state. For only about 10% of the church tax is spent on public social purposes.

An average wage earner with a gross salary of 25,000 euro can save about 170 euro per year by leaving the church. If only half of the money saved is donated directly to social organizations, this serves the common good more than a church membership.

The campaign is designed to allow anyone to participate. Who wants to join in can inform themselves in detail by visiting kirchenaustrittsjahr.de. A second element of the campaign is the website kirchensteuer.de, where all relevant information about this worldwide unique tax can be found. The completely revised page is intended to contribute to the church financing debate that ensued after the publication of Carsten Frerk's "Violettbuch Kirchenfinanzen" ("Violet Book of Church Finances").
 

Further Links:
http://www.kirchenaustrittsjahr.de
http://www.kirchensteuer.de